National Register Listing

Quarai

a.k.a. Quarai State Monument

1 mi. S of Punta de Agua, Punta de Agua, NM

Located near the eastern base of the Manzano Mountains about a mile west of Punta de Agua, Quarai consists of a small prehistoric settlement, a large 17th Century Tiwa pueblo, a small 17th-century church, and a large 17th-century mission and church. Occupied in historic times from about 1600 to 1675, Quarai helps to document the acculturation processes which occurred during this early contact period. The pueblo was also the ecclesiastical headquarters of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in New Mexico. As such, it played an important part in the conflict between the clergy and the laity—the missionaries and the governors—which was raging in New Spain at that time. From both the archaeological and historical records, Quarai provides insight into this conflict and its effect on the Native American population.

History

The earliest known occupation at Quarai is represented by the south mound. Dating from about 1250-1350 A.D. as indicated by the quantities of Chupadera black-on-white and Rio Grande Glaze A (glaze I) pottery types, this prehistoric settlement was abandoned by 1400 A.D.; for none of the later glazed pottery types are present. Some earlier black-on-white types and some intrusive wares from farther west. From present archaeological work, the locality appears to have remained unoccupied for almost 200 years. Indeed the date of the founding of the historically known pueblo of Quarai is the subject of controversy. Some archeologists believe that more extensive excavation will support the theory that the site was occupied sporadically between 1400 and 1600 A.D. while some historians believe that the pueblo may have been settled around 1609 after a decree by the Viceroy of New Spain ordering the concentration of the Indians into fewer settlements "to facilitate their administration." At present, the general consensus of opinion merely indicates that Quarai was occupied prior to Spanish contact. It was probably mentioned in the 1581-82 reports of the Chamuscado/Rodriguez expedition, the first such Spanish expedition to visit any of the Salinas pueblos. The Espejo expedition of 1583 probably did not stop at Quarai. Although the name Quarai is not mentioned, some evidence suggests that Onate did visit the site during his 1598 trip; and in 1601, a originally measured about 40 feet in height. A small side altar is located in each transept, and large carved vigas spanned the walls and supported the roof. The main altar may have been destroyed by a Spanish governor in search of the burial of a priest in 1759. There is evidence that the church was burned, but it is unknown whether the event occurred before or after its abandonment. The monastery ruins, likewise of red sandstone, cover an area nearly twice as large as the church. The remains of the monastery walls rise to between 4 and 6 feet. Of particular interest is the kiva located in one of the patios of the monastery area during 1939. The church and a few rooms of the Convento had flagstone floors, and it is probable that most of the interior of the mission complex was plastered with white gypsum, and occasionally painted.

Local significance of the district:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1966.